Gas producer



June 28, 1932. D. J. SMITH 1,865,341

GAS PRODUCER Filed Dec. 29, 1927 an Caf kf/Vm? jaw@ jgs/mz@ I 5y MW Ky.

Patented `lune 28, 1932 UITD STABS PATENT OFFICE DAVID JOSEPH SMITH, F MAPLEDURHAM, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO COMPOUND GAS POWER COMPANY, LIMITED, OF READING, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND GAS PRODUCER Application filed December 29, 1927, Serial No. 243,393, and in Great Britain July 20, 1927.

This invention relates to gas producers working on the down draft principle and designed for dealing with fuels of high volatile content, for example, wood, lignite, and the like, and of either the suction or pressure or the like.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved construct-ion of gas producer.

According to this invention part of the gas is led to a restricted passage where the other part of the gas drawn from the most intense Zone of combustion meet and mix with it thus tending to break up any volatile matters.

The said gas is arranged to impinge on a surface of refractory material which, becoming incandescent, tends to convert any volatile matters contained therein into a fixed Gas. b Combustion is arranged to take place in a grate or grates of special design in which part of the hot proceeds of combustion impinge on a surface of refractory material, which becoming incandescent, tends to convert any volatile matters contained in such proceeds, into a fixed gas. This part of the 'V proceeds of combustion is led to a restricted passage where the other part of the gases, drawn fi'om the most intense zone of combustion, meet and m'iX with it, thus still further tending to break up any volatile matters.

l-i the same heating device also acting as a filter to remove any dust or solid particles carried over with the gas.

rfhis invention will now be described with I reference to the accompanying drawing 4'* which is sectional elevation of one form of gas producer constructed in accordance with this invention.

The producer consists of an outer chamber of circular or square section and of any mi suitable length and having at its upper end er end with the frusto-conical grate c, andV inside this member c' is a smaller tubular member 7i. The annular space between the two members i, z', constitutes a passage y'.

At the upper end of the member c' is a sliding plate 7c which controls the admission of air to the space j.

The tubular member 71, constitutes the fuel preheating and distillation chamber and isA furnished with a removable air-tight lid b.

The space between the wall of the outer container g and the tubular member a' which constitutes a producer gas outlet chamber is fitted with several gas baiiie plates m having suitable perforations therein to allow the gas to pass evenly through them into a number of scrubbing spaces o, 0. These spaces o, o, are filled with suitable material to filter the gas, such as steel turnings, or the like. Doors a are provided to give access to the spaces 0, o for cleaning out and renewing the filter material.

The hopper o r ash box f is fitted with a removable but air-tight door g for the removal of ash and to afford down draft to the fire when necessary.

The main grate c is of inverted frustro-conical configuration and carries a secondary frustro-conical grate rl rising from its truncated end but which is closed at its upper end. Both grates c and CZ are formed with perforations or slots p of suitable number and size.

Encircling the main grate c is a similarly shaped inverted frustro-conical member c of thin refractory material. This cone carries at its lower end a smaller inverted frustoconical member cZl open at its upper end and which projects a. certain distance into the grate (Z.

The ash box or hopper f is encircled by a jacket r provided with an inlet pipe s and outlet t. The outer chamber g is provided with a gas outlet Z.

The operation of the gas producer is as follows The cover b is removed and a fire lighted in the fuel chamber 71, in any suitable manner the door g being opened to obtain the necessary draft. Fresh fuel is added as required and when the necessary heat has been ob- 5 tained, the fuel chamber 7L is filled, and the cover b and door g closed. Suction is then applied at the gas outlet Z and the generated gases pass down through the grates c and cl, through the slots j).

The main portion of the gas impinges on the frustro-conical member ey and, passing down to the bottom end, is deflected by the frustro-conical member dl up the inside lofthe secondary grate l where it is met by that portion of the gas passing through the slots p in grate d and arising from the hottest part of the fuel bed. The frusto-conical member e rapidly attains a high temperature yas also does frusto-conical member d1, and the gas impinging on these and mixing with the intensely hot .gas from grate (l, have any volatile matters contained therein broken up and converted into a fixed producer gas.

Air to support combustion enters through -l" the slide c, which can be regulated as desired', and passes down between the space y', entering the fire just above the Zone of greatest intensity. The incoming air is warmed in its passage through by conducted heat in the tube i arising from the heat of the gas generating chamber and the heat of t-he y.gas passing around the outside of it in the spaces 0, 0.

The gas, on leaving the member d1 passes into the ash box or hopper f Where most of the dust or solid matter in suspension is deposited. The gas then passes through the perforations .in the `baffle plates m to ensure even distribution .and is cleaned by the filtering material in the spaces 0, 0 and finally passes :out through the gas outlet Z.

In the case of some fuels it is desirable vto add steam or other vapors to `the air, and to do this, water or other fiuid ispoured into the jacket 7' around the hopper or ash box f.

The water is admitted by the pipe s and the steam is taken off by the pipe tand enters through thepipe 0. The level of the water may be maintained 4and mixes with the air f in the space j in the jacket a" by any suitable means, for example, by a float chamber as used in 'connection with petrol carburettors (not shown).

Extra fuel can be added at lany time by removing the cover 'b and Without stopping the .operation of the producer.

If it -is desired to operate the producer under pressure, air under pressure from an outside source may be introduced at fw, the air slide 7c being kept closed, the air being regula-ted by a valve yof any suitable type on w.

With a producer constructed in accordance With this invention, the grates and baiiles succeed in breaking 4up volatile matters -contained in the gas by making all the gas pass through a retort formed by the inside of grate d Where it is subjected to the most intense heat of the fire and mixed with a portion of hot gases from the most intense combustion Zone. l

Further, by admitting air just above the combustion Zone and sealing the fuel chamber at its upper end, the lire is prevented from climbing up the fuel bed.

The sudden expansion of the gas through the frusto-conical member Z1 into the ash pan, cleans it, and the gases are further cleaned by filtering material in spaces 0 encircling the producer.

A great advantage with this producer is that the initial heating up can be obtained by natural 'draft without the aid of a fan.

Vhat l claim isz- In a do-wn draft gas producer, a fuel gasifyi-ng chamber, a gas filtering chamber surrounding said gasifying chamber and arranged concentrically thereto, a frustoconical grate projecting downwardly from said gasifying chamber and having a reentrant portion formed at its lower end, said gasifying chamber being spaced from said gas filtering chamber to form an air passageway therebetween connnunicating with the space immediately above said grate and with the top of the producer, 4and a frusto-conical baffle surrounding the under side of said grate and having a reentrant portion concentrically arranged with respect to the reentrant portion of said rate.

In testimony whereo :he .aflixes his signature.

DAVID JOSEPH SMITH. 

